Hennepin County (Minn.) Board of Commissioners Chair Mike Opat, whose “support was crucial for the construction" of Target Field, yesterday said a deal to finance a new Vikings stadium is a “long shot.” Opat: “I don’t think the state’s funding sources are very reliable now, and the state doesn’t have enough money on the table for a local partner to get serious about it.” Opat’s comments “came on the day a bill for a Vikings stadium was formally introduced on the floors of the Minnesota House and Senate” (ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS, 4/12).
LEAVING A VACANCY: Glendale city officials said that if the Coyotes leave the city, Jobing.com Arena “will have to replace roughly 50 lost event dates -- otherwise, the city-owned arena might have to close.” In Phoenix, Mike Sunnucks notes the arena “would need to book more concerts and other events; try to snag the Arizona Rattlers arena football team out of downtown Phoenix; or possibly attract a minor-league hockey franchise to remain viable.” But even if the city attracts other entities, Glendale officials “worry they wouldn’t be able to sell suites and sponsorships without a big-league anchor tenant.” Jobing.com Arena in ’10 “hosted about 1.2 million fans at 125 events.” Coyotes fans “numbered about 563,000,” or 47% of the total attendance (PHOENIX BUSINESS JOURNAL, 4/8 issue).
MONMOUTH TAKEOVER: In Newark, Tom Luicci reports Resorts Casino co-Owner Morris Bailey has started negotiations with New Jersey for the “takeover of Monmouth Park racetrack.” But even if Bailey “wins approval as expected in the coming weeks to operate Monmouth, he faces a potential obstacle in the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association.” New Jersey state law “requires 141 thoroughbred racing dates.” Bailey's attorney, Ron Riccio, said that his client's proposal “calls for 71 days -- the same as last year -- and a minimum overnight purse average of $400,000” (NJ.com, 4/12).
ON THE BIG SCREEN: In L.A., Gary Klein noted construction of a “6,000-square-foot video board" at L.A. Memorial Coliseum is scheduled to be completed during USC’s football season this year. The screen, which “will be at the west end of the stadium, will measure 150 feet wide and 40 feet tall” (LATIMES.com, 4/11).
